Symptoms of Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is a fairly common childhood illness caused by the Varicella-zoster virus. Patients are contagious for up to 48 hours before the well known rash appears. A patient continues to be contagious until all skin lesions scab over. About 10 percent of adults who have had a case of the chicken pox will develop shingles later in life. Shingles are painful blisters that do not last very long.

Fever

• Before any visible chicken pox is seen, a child may have a mild fever (under 102 F). If the patients fever reaches over 103 F then a doctor needs to be consulted.

Pain

• A headache or general pain may be evident before the onset of the chicken pox. A dose of pain reliever may help the child sleep and be more comfortable.

Upset Stomach

• Mild stomachache can accompany the symptoms of chicken pox.

Rash

• A rash is the most recognizable symptom of chicken pox. The rash looks like little bug bites that become blisters. The blisters will then burst open and scab over. An average child will get between 250 and 500 pox. These pox can be external or internal, occurring in places such as the mouth, throat, or vagina.

Warning

• A child with certain skin conditions such as eczema can get as many as 1,500 pox. Children should be kept from scratching the rash. Bacteria can infect the pox if they have been scratched which can leave scars.